Geophysical and numerical stability analysis of landslide incident

Landslide is known for its precarious impact on environment, resources and human life. Recently, landslide has occurred in Lalisa village, Jimma Zone, Ethiopia which harshly caused damage to life and property. The incident resulted in perilous damage of about 27 ha of accessible land. This study hence particularly aimed at investigating the root cause of the incident and analyzing safety of the sliding slope so that the applicable remedial actions can be proposed. Geophysical analysis without soil structure disturbance was adopted to investigate the vertical soil profile, morphological stratification, location and alignment of discontinuity planes. Stability analysis by using Limit Equilibrium method was carried out for both normal and worst conditions to rate safety of the failing slope. Lithology of the site is characterized by highly weathered and fractured rock units exhibiting a significant variability over a little horizontal distance and depth. The stratigraphy also constitutes loose soil near the surface and saturated layer ranging from depth of 10 m to 25 m. The slope failure occurred at the site is of deep by its type that origin of its slip plane extends up to a depth of 12 m from the surface. Furthermore, factor of safety of the slope along the failed zone fell below 1.5 with the maximum value of 1.303 for the normal condition. The conducted investigation also indicated that the detachment and propagation of the sliding mass develops much faster with rise in soil moisture content whereas it categorically remains mild during dry seasons. Hence, the driving agent for the occurrence and propagation of the landslide incident was rainfall infiltration and the existence of weak saturated zone at the stated depth.